pollutant

noun

pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 

plural pollutants

: something that pollutes

especially : something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use

sources of pollutants [=pollution] in the environment

Meanwhile, scientists warned that other air pollutants—especially from automobiles—might also be contributing to health problems, forest damage and decreased crop production.

—National Wildlife

Formaldehyde is an important atmospheric pollutant that can be produced in photochemical smog.

—Des W. Connell

A 165-foot cement tower contains radium-rich blends that have given off radon gas—a pollutant that can cause cancer.

—Michael H. Brown

Synonyms

• adulterant
• contaminant
• contamination
• defilement
• impurity

Examples of pollutant in a Sentence

filtered the pollutants out of the water

Recent Examples on the Web

Concentrations of surface-level ozone, an air pollutant that contributes to respiratory and heart issues, repeatedly surpassed federal air quality standards over that period. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 8 Nov. 2024

In addition, scientists are hopeful that the new satellite could mitigate the number of pollutants released into the atmosphere. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2024

For every depiction of inept leadership there is a reminder that the disaster itself was triggered by the presence of foreign pollutants. —James Marsh, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

Metzger had several works that captured auto exhaust within a cube to make visible the pollutants. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pollutant

noun

pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt 

: something that pollutes

Medical Definition

pollutant

noun

pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt 

: something that pollutes

especially : something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use